Feels like something is stuck in my esophagus...

For the past month or two I've been having this feeling in my esophagus like something is stuck in there - like when you swallow a vitamin without enough water and you can feel it sitting there.  I've also had a feeling like a lump in my throat.  It is VERY annoying!!  I'm not sure what it is - I spoke with my doctor's nurse and she suggested keeping a journal for a month to track what might cause it and what relieves it.  Has anyone else ever had anything like this?  And if so, what is it??  And what gets rid of it???  It's kinda freaking me out!!  I though maybe the Zantac that I started taking was causing it because it went away when I stopped taking it.  (went away for a few days, then came back)  I don't really thing I have acid reflux or GERD... Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[CalGal]

AM, even though you don't think that you have GERD or reflux, what your describing sounds very much like problems people have when they DO have reflux issues. The lump in the throat is referred to as 'globus' and it's typically caused by irritation to the lower part of the esophagus that relays a sensory signal into the throat. And the feeling of something stuck in the esophagus could signal irritation or possibly a spasm within that tube. You may want to consider asking your doc for some testing to be done to get a look at what is going on within the esophagus and stomach.

Alternatively, you could try a course of proton  pump inhibitor meds in addition to a change in diet to see if that's of help.

Reflux in many may not have the typical symptoms of heartburn etc., but when something annoying is found in the esophagus it would be a good idea to get it checked out.

[FurballsMom]

I agree that you likely have GERD.  That feeling that something is caught in the craw is classic GERD.  Same thing is true of that lump in the throat feeling, or globus.  I do have GERD, and if I feel like this at all I know it means I've eaten something that I'm sensitive to.  I also agree that you should be checked for this, because those do sound like classic GERD symptoms.

[Nikodicreta]

Hi AM1995.

Make sure you rule out sore throat infection and Hiatus Hernia.
Hiatus Hernia has similar symptoms to GERD.
It is important to get a correct diagnosis, since there are many sufferers
out there  misdiagnosed and put on GERD medications.
Some Doctors, I find are too eager to
diagnose, and too fast to prescribe. (time constraints perhaps?)
Hope you find out soon.
Blessings
Nikodicreta

[Isol]

Hi! I'm experiencing the same thing. It started a week ago. At first, I felt like there's something stuck in my throat, but doesn't hurt or bother when I swallow. What I did, I drink warm milk before I sleep. I think it helped a little because the next morning, the feeling on my throat was gone, except it transfered to my chest. Until now, even if I drink warm milk each night, the feeling on my chest don't go. Hope this will be gone soon.

[AM1995]

I guess I'm a little confused/concerned because my diet hasn't changed at all - the only thing I've added is taking vitamins on a more consistent basis, and I've never had this feeling before.  I'm just not sure if it's food related...I have a chronic problem/pain in my neck and upper back so I'm wondering if it could somehow be related to that??   I'm also not crazy about waiting another month, as the nurse suggested, before I see my doctor.  What kinds of testing do they do to check the esophagus for spasms?  Can I request my doctor to do them before he suggests it??  
Thanks for any input and suggestions!

[Bentraven]

Hi, AM. I hope I'm not too late to provide any useful input, but it may be that you simply overate something that gives you gas, which, during sleep, exerted enough pressure on your stomach to result in transient reflux. I, too, have neck and back trouble, which do a job of twisting my digestive organs so that I, sometimes, suffer from constipation and reflux. Getting my posture straight by transferring my weight to my abdominal muscles (as opposed to my back), and distributing my weight evenly to both legs usually gets things straightened out and "moving along". I hope you've found relief.